Giants’ Victor Cruz pays visit to family of shooting victim

NEWTOWN, Conn. — New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz visited the home of the 6-year-old Connecticut shooting victim who was buried in a replica Cruz jersey.

Jack Pinto was among 20 children shot to death Friday in Newtown. Several elementary school-age children played touch football in the front yard of his family’s home Tuesday. Many wore Giants jerseys or Newtown football or wrestling shirts as they laughed, smiled and hugged.

The children and their families left after several hours. Kids carried autographed Giants footballs and jerseys.

About 45 minutes later, Cruz left the home in an SUV and an escort of five police cruisers, sirens blaring. He later tweeted that he has “much love to the entire Pinto family. Great people with huge hearts.”

Several people leaving the home confirmed Cruz was there.

Rib injury lands Bears‘ Bush on injured reserve

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears running back Michael Bush was placed on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday because of a rib injury, and Kahlil Bell was signed to take his place on the roster.

Losing Bush is another blow for the struggling Bears. They’ve dropped five of six after a 7-1 start and are coming off a loss to Green Bay that clinched the NFC North for the Packers.

Chicago needs help to make the playoffs after leading the division for much of the season, and losing Bush does not make matters easier.

Signed to a four-year deal to give the Bears depth in the backfield with Matt Forte, Bush appeared in 13 games and ran for 411 yards and five touchdowns. Bell was waived by Chicago in October.

Packers putting faith in struggling Crosby

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers are sticking with Mason Crosby, despite the kicker’s season-long struggles.

After missing a pair of field goal attempts during the Packers‘ 21-13 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Crosby is 17 of 29 (an NFL-worst 58.6 percent) and has botched at least one kick in the past eight games. Last season, he was 24 of 28 on field goal tries.

The Packers twice went for it on fourth down against the Bears, converting a fourth-and-2 from the Chicago 37-yard line in the second quarter instead of trying a 55-yard field goal and converting a fourth-and-6 from the Bears 26 instead of attempting a 44-yard kick.

Sanchez, Jets stumble out of the playoff race

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